Do Drug Charges Affect Financial Aid Eligibility?

Not many people can afford to pay for their child's college tuition in full.  Most turn to grants, scholarships, and financial aid in order to help defray the costs. Unfortunately, if your child does anything to significantly tarnish their record, such as getting even a minor drug charge, their federal financial aid might be affected. To learn more about this unique situation, and how a defense attorney can help, review the following guide.

How Drug Charges Affect Financial Aid

When filling out the FAFSA® application, your teenager will come across a section asking if they were convicted of a drug charge while receiving or before applying for federal student aid. If they weren't convicted and only charged, they can answer “no.” 

However, if your child was convicted of sale or possession of drugs or even small amounts of marijuana before applying for or receiving a grant or loan, they must answer “yes.”  

If they answer yes, your child’s eligibility for student financial aid can be lost for up to one year.   

What to Do If Your Child Is Facing Drug-Related Charges

Since these consequences can impact your child’s ability to attend a college or university, it's essential to contest any drug charges that arise during this time.  Once charged, they should contact a criminal defense attorney. Usually, once the circumstances are explained to the Prosecutor, an alternative disposition can be arranged in these minor cases.

To ensure your child keeps their financial aid, reach out to Thomas A. Corletta, Attorney & Counselor at Law. This Rochester, NY, criminal defense attorney has nearly 40 years of experience in criminal defense. In addition to criminal defense, Attorney Corletta also handles DWI, traffic, family law and bankruptcy cases. To learn more about his practice areas, visit his website or call (585) 546-5072 for a consultation.